Onobrychis viciifolia

Scop.

Fabaceae

The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[

Medicinal

Other Uses

Written about a hundred years ago, but still a very good guide to the useful plants of Britain.

]. The plants can be grown on the land for a number of years, the deep tap roots breaking up the sub-soil and bringing up minerals from below. Plants can be cut during the growing season but care must be taken not to cut too low because the tap root tends to rise above ground level and the plant can be killed if this is cut off[

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

]. Seed can also be sown in situ in the autumn.
If seed is in short supply then it might be wiser to sow it in pots in a cold frame in early spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.
Division in the spring just before new growth commences[

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

]. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

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